124-04

The individual respondent (the “Respondent”) participated in an international competitive bidding process under the Provincial Agricultural Services Program - PROSAP III - Second Individual Operation under the CCLIP Line AR-X1006 (the “Program”). The Office of Institutional Integrity (the “OII”) submitted a statement of charges and evidence against the Respondent for allegedly engaging in collusive and fraudulent practices related to the Program. OII accused the Respondent of entering into a collusive agreement with her agent and public officials to create the appearance of competition in the bidding process. According to OII, the Respondent agreed to submit a non-eligible bid in exchange for being subcontracted by the company to be awarded the contract. OII also alleged that the Respondent knowingly failed to disclose commissions paid to her agent for his assistance in proposal preparation to conceal the collusive agreement. Consequently, and in accordance with the Sanctions Procedures, the Sanctions Officer (the “SO”) issued a notice of administrative action (the “Notice”) to the Respondent. The Respondent did not submit a Response to the Notice.

The SO determined that it was more likely than not that the Respondent engaged in a collusive practice and fraudulent practice. As a result, the SO imposed a sanction of debarment for a period of seven (7) years. During that time, the Respondent will be ineligible to participate or be awarded contracts in projects or activities financed by the Bank Group. As an aggravating factor, the SO considered the participation of public officials in the prohibited practice.

In accordance with the Sanctions Procedures, the sanction imposed entered into force immediately, and the Bank provided notice of this declaration of ineligibility to the other Multilateral Development Banks that are a party to the Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions.